Since their formation in 1996 Allan Yn Y Fan has carved out a reputation as one of
Wales’ foremost traditional bands, with an impressive catalogue of concert, twmpath,
festival and recorded work, as well as a number of European tours to their credit.
The multi-instrumental sextet, as famed now for their ‘beautiful vocals’ as for their ‘fiery
instrumentals’, breathe life into the traditional songs and music of Wales as well as
writing their own tunes inspired by their homeland and travels.
Internationally Allan Yn Y Fan has performed at Festival Interceltique Lorient in Brittany,
and at venues in France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria, as
well as successfully touring in Germany and the Czech Republic.
Festival appearances in the UK include Glasgow’s Celtic Connections, Trowbridge
Village Pump, Bromyard, Beverley, Fylde, Middlewich Folk & Boat, Tredegar House,
Fire in the Mountain, Shepley Spring and Fishguard as well as the world-famous
Llangollen International Eisteddfod and the Royal Welsh Show. Along the way they
have also made a number of radio and television appearances. Since 2003 Allan Yn Y
Fan has released 6 albums and one EP on the Steam Pie Label, all of which have
received terrific critical acclaim.
Allan Yn Y Fan has undertaken major theatre tours of Wales supporting the release of
their ‘Pwnco” and ‘NEWiD’ albums and in 2014 they received a PRSF/St David’s Hall
commission to compose new music with fellow Welsh musicians DnA (Delyth &
Angharad Jenkins) performed at the first Folk Day at the Welsh Proms that summer.
While concert and festival work is the band’s main focus they haven’t forgotten their
roots and still enjoy playing for twmpaths, as well as for private, corporate and public
events. In 2016 they even had 20,000 people dancing in Cardiff’s Bute Park as part of
the mammoth Roald Dahl centenary ‘City of the Unexpected’ celebrations and in 2022
worked with National Dance Company Wales on PARTi, their community celebration of
dance production.
ALLAN YN Y FAN is – Scott Baker – guitar, bass ukulele; Emma Farnsworth – fiddle;
Chris Jones – accordion, flute, low D whistle, vocals; Catrin O’Neill – lead vocals,
bodhran, guitarlele; Linda Simmonds – mandolin, octave mandola, bodhran, vocals;
Kate Strudwick – flute, alto-flute; recorders, whistle, vocals.